Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make a comparative estimate of the cost to pubs of (a) the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, (b) VAT and (c) beer duty compared to other major European countries.

Policies related to packaging alcohol taxation vary between European countries.

In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers. It has worked closely with industry, including the brewing sector, throughout the development of the scheme.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps alcohol duty rates under review during its Budget process.